Tubing anchor



Feb. l0, 1948.

J. s. PAGE 2,435,899

TUBING ANCHOR Filed Feb. 11, 1946 Patented Feb. 1948 UNITED STATESPATENT oFFl-cE TUBING ANCHOR l John S. Page, Long Beach, Calif.

Application February 1l, 1946, Serial No. 846,771

This invention has to do with a tubing anchor it being a general objectof the invention to provide a simpliiled. improved, anchoring device tobe used on or in connection with a string of tubing to anchor it in acasing or the like. Tubing anchors are commonly employed in wells suchas oil `wells and particularly wherewells are being pumped, the primarypurpose of such devices being to fix or anchor the tubing within acasing or the like at a suitable point in the well, to eliminate orminimize diillculties that result from working or movement of tubingwithin the casing.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved,simplified anchor of the general type which is the subject of LettersPatent of the United States No. 2,332,749, issued to me October 26,1943. With this type of anchor the tubing can be set in a mostadvantageous manner and the actual setting pr actuation of. the vgripping means involved in the anchor is controlled hydraulically or bymeans of fluid in the tubing being set.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a tubing anchorof the general character referred to which involves a minimum number ofsimple, inexpensive, parts, all of which are easily applied for use andare uniform and dependable in operation.v

It is a further oblectof my invention to provide an anchor of thegeneral character referred to which involves a single angular elementthat serves both as the operating or actuating piston and as the carrierfor the links which connect to the slips of the gripping means.

A further object oi' the present invention is to provide an anchor ofthe general type referred to wherein there is a single simple helicalspring that serves to normally yieldingly hold the mechanism in areleased or unactuated position, which spring is arranged so that it isexposed or is at the exterior of the structure. By locating the springso that it is exposed and at the exterior of the structure I eliminatedangerof bending or clogging such as may occur if the spring is connnedin a chamber.

Another object of my present invention is to provide `an anchor of thegeneral character referred to which has a central continuous uniformbody that extends from one end of the structure to the other so thatduring normal operations iluid is conducted through the body withoutre'- striction and without eddy currents or disturbances of any kind.With the construction that I have provided the body of the anchor actssen- 13 Claims. (Cl. 10S-219) provide an anchor of the charactermentioned involving a hydraulic actuator including a blow out meansacting to relieve operating pressureto release the slips or grippingmeans from the casing in which the anchor is set.

'I'he various objects and features of my inven- 'tion will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred form and application of the invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the anchor that I have provided showing itwithin a well casing andshowing the parts unactuated or in a positionwhich allows the anchor to be moved freely through the casing. Fig. 2 isa longitudinal detailed sectional view oi the anchor showing it in awell casing and showing it actuated or set. Fig. 3. is a detailedtransverse sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3-3on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detailed transverse sectional view takensubstantially as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detailedtransverse sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 5--5on Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view of a blow out plugemployed in the construction.

The anchor that I have provided can be used to advantage in a well orthe like where it is desired-to anchor an element such as a well tubingand since such a device is most commonly ,used

for anchoring a tubing in a casing I will describe the invention asemployed in such a situation.

of my invention the structure can be used, or manipulated in variousways. However, it is most advantageous to operate or actuate it by meansof iluid carried by the tubing which is being anchored, and in practiceit is ordinarily desirable to set the anchor so that there is stretch inthe tubing.

In the drawings I have shown a typical well casing C with a string oftubing arranged or extending through it. The anchor of the presentinvention is shown connected in the tubing so that it is. in eiect, aninsert inthe tubing, and so that it divides the tubing into an uppersection T and a lowersection T2. 'I'he anchor that I have provided maybe employed or inserted in the tubing` between the sections T' and Tz inerally in the same manner as a length or section place of an ordnarytubing. coupler and there:

3 fore it is applicable to any point along the tubing and can be readilylocated wherever desired. for instance. at the lower end of thetubing,lor at any point intermediate the ends of the string of tub-1118.

The anchor that I have provided involves, generally, certain essentialelements, namely a body I0, a gripping means or a slip mechanism I I,and hydraulic actuating means I2 for the slip mechvanism II. There arevarious other elements that enter into the structure. such for exampleas links I3 that connect the means I2 and the mechanism IIl a spring I4that normally yieldingly holds the mechanism in an unactuated position,`and one or more blow out plugs I5.

The body I that I have provided is of improved form in that it is astraight simple elongate tube, uniform in size throughout its length andthreaded at its ends for connection to the tubing sections by couplersincluded in the construction. The body is centrally located or isconcentric with the longitudinal axls of the structure and it ispreferably proportioned so that the opening 20, which extendscontinuously longitudinally thro-ugh it from one end to the othercorresponds in size to the opening afforded by the tubing to whichthedevice is connected. In the preferred form of the invention the endportions of the body are externally threaded so that no parts of thestructure enter the body to restrict lt in any Way.

The slip mechanism II may be of any suitable form or construction, itbeing preferred to follow a somewhat conventional slip constructionwhich is characterized by a single central abutment carrying a pluralityof gripping members or slips. The abutment 2i shown in the drawingssurrounds the upper end portion of the body II) and is formed at itsouter side or exterior with a plurality of longitudinally extendinginclined faces 22 which converge or extend downwardly and inwardly, asclearly shown in the drawings. In the particular case illustrated thereare three faces 22 and there is a slip or gripping member 23 slldablycarried on each face 22. The slips 23 have dat inner sides 24 toslldably bear on the faces 22 and have curved outer sides with teeth 25to engage the inner wall 26 of the casing C. In practice it is generallydesirable to form the slips so that the curved outer faces thereof fitor conform to the inner wall of the casing when the slips are expandedto grip the casing.

In practice it is preferred to guide the slips lengthwise of the faces22. In the particular case illustrated I show a tongue and grooveconnection between each slip and its supporting abutment. I show atongue projecting from each face 22 and extending longitudinally thereofand a dove-tailed groove 3| is provided longitudinally in each slip toaccommodate the tongue 30.

The abutment 2l of the slip mechanism has a central bore that slldablypasses the upper end portion of the body ID and the abutment member isprovided at its upper end with a tubular extension which forms r.coupler 36. The coupler 36 is internally threaded at 31 so that theupper end of the body is screw threaded into it and it is internallythreaded at 38 to receive the lower end of the tubing section T'. Thecoupler 36 may be considerably smaller in diameter than the upper endportion of the abutment nember 2I and in practice it is desirable toprov de the exterior of the coupler with wickers a fishing der40 and asingle piston 4I which operates in the cylinder. The piston also servesas the part or carrier to which the slip links i3 connect.

The cylinder 40 is a simple, straight, tubular part arranged concentricwith the body l0 and c, surrounding it, the cylinder being somewhatlarger in diameter than the body so that there is a chamber or cylinderopening A between the interior of the cylinder and the exterior of thebody. The upper end of the cylinder is open or unrestricted and admitsthe piston 4I into the cylinder opening A. At the lower end portion, orbeyond the lower end portion, of the cylinder 40 there is a coupler 43which is joined to the lower end of the cylinder by a downwardly andinwardly converging neck 44. The coupler 43 is considerably smaller indiameter than the cylinder 40 and its upper end portion is internallythreaded at- 45 to receive the lower end of the body I0 while its lowerend portion is internally threaded at 46 to receive the upper endportion of tubing section T2. In practice I prefer to form the cylinder4I, the neck 44 and the coupler 43 as a single integral or continuousbody so that this portion of the structure is free of joints orconnections.

One or more fluid passages or ports 50 are provided in the body I0,preferablyopposite the neck 44 that joins the cylinder 40 and coupler43, so

vthat the interior of the body is in free communication with thecylinder chamber A.

The piston 4I is a simple straight element having its exterior 55 turnedto slldably fit into the cylinder 40 and having a central bore 5Bconcentric with the exterior 55 to slldably pass the body I0. Inpractice I may provide one or more sealing rings 60 at the exterior ofthe piston to seal with the cylinder 4I), and one or more sealing ringsEI at the bore of the piston to seal with the body I0. By forming thepiston in the manner just described I provide a simple, annular memberwhich is-effectively guided so that it works freely longitudinally ofthe structure and can be readily moved upward or toward the slipmechanism by means of fluidpressure introduced to the cylinder chamber Athrough the ports 50. It is to be observed that through the constructionthat I have provided the single piston being of substantial diameterpresents a large face to be acted upon by fluid admitted to the chamberA.

The piston 4I is related to the cylinder 40 so that its upper endprojects somewhat above the upper end of the cylinder when the piston isin its lowermost position. The slip links I3 conneet to the upper end ofthe piston 4I. In the particular construction illustrated the upper 'endportion 5l of the piston is enlarged somewhat and is provided withrecesses 58 which receive the lower ends of the links I3 and pivot pins59 pivotally retain the links in the recesses. The links projectupwardly from the piston to the lower ends of the slips 23 where theyextend between spaced lugs 64 and are retained by pivot pins 65.

The spring I4 serves to normally yieldingly hold the working parts, thatis, the piston, links and slips in a down or retracted position to whichposition rthey are normally moved through the action of gravity. Thespring, in accordance with my improved construction, is a helical springsurrounding the body I0 and occurring between latecl in any desiredmanner.

sible to make the anchor short compared to other devices of this generalcharacter and where the upper end of the piston 4I closely approachesthe lower end 80 of the abutment member it is desired to recess one ofthese members to` accommodate the spring. In the case illustrated I haveshown a recess or .counterbore 8l in the upper end oi the piston 4| toreceive the lower end portion of the spring I4.

The construction preferably includes one ored opening in the neck 44 anda displaceable slug li held in the holder to be displaced therefrom by apredetermined pressure occurring in the chamber A. In practice the slug'Il may be a body of soft metal cast or otherwise applied tothe holder.

The structure that -I have provided may, as

I have indicated above, be handled or manipu- For instance, it may beused or run in the manner set forth in my above-mentioned issued patent,or it can be run in any other suitable manner. Fundamennected to thepiston and to the slips, there being a port in the body admitting fluidfrom within thebody to the cylinder to operate the piston.

`2. A tubing anchor for anchoring a string' of well tubing in a wellincluding, a tubular body, gripping means carried by the upper endportion of the body having an abutment with faces extally, theconstruction that I have provided is I such that the anchor can be runthrough the casing to any desired position therein during which time theparts are held retracted or in the unactuated position by the spring i4.When it is desired to set the slip mechanism fluid pressure applied tothe tubing passes through the ports 5t to the chamber A to there actupon the single annular piston d l Pressure on the bottom end of thepiston overcomes the resistance of the spring M and the weight of theparts connected to the piston, and causes the piston to move upwardly inthe cylinder with the result that the slips are uniformly moved up onthefaces 22 until they have moved out to a position where theyengage andgrip the inner wall 26 of the casing C. If for any reason the uid cannotbe drained below the anchor then pressure can be applied as by means ofa" pump applied at the surface and the plugs l5 can be blown out and thefluid drained from the tubing releasing the tool. A unique feature ofthe general construction that I have provided is the arrangement ofparts whereby the slips move up in order to be forced out into grippingengagement so that when pressure is relieved from the tubing it is asimple matter to release the anchor by simply pulling up on the tubing'.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fallwithin the scope ci the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A tubing anchor for anchoring a string of well tubing in a wellincluding, a tubular body conducting iluid handled by the tubing,gripping means carried by the body having anA abutment with facesextending downwardly and inwardly and carrying slips, and operatingmeans for the slips including a single cylinder surrounding the tendingdownwardly and inwardly and carrying slips, and operating means for theslips below the gripping means and including a single upwardly openingcylinder surrounding the body, a piston between and slidably engagedwith both the cylinder and body with its upper end projecting from thecylinder, and'links connected to the projecting upper end of the pistonand with the slips. there being a port in the body admitting iiuid fromwithin the bodyvto the cylinder to operate the piston.

3. A tubing anchor for anchoring a string of well tubing in a wellincluding, a tubular body, gripping means carriedl by the body having anabutment with faces extending downwardly and inwardly and carryingslips, and operating means for the slips including a single cylindersurrounding the body and a piston slidable between the cylinder and bodyand connected with the slips, the body being a straight tube of uniformdiameter extending from one end of the anchor to the other and adaptedfor connection with the tubing to form a continuation thereof and topass ma-4 terial and objects passed by the tubing.

4. A tubing anchor for anchoring a string of well tubing in a Wellincluding, a tubular body, gripping means carried by the body having anabutment with faces extending downwardly and inwardly and carryingslips, and operating means for the slips including a single cylindersurrounding the body and a piston between and slidably engaging both thecylinder and body and connected with the slips, the' abutment and thecylinder each having a coupler part to which thebody is joined andforming a tubing coupling, the body having a port admitting pressurefrom the interior of the body to the cylinder.

5. A tubing anchor for anchoring a string of well tubing in a wellincluding, a tubular body, gripping means carried by the upper endportion of the body having an abutment with faces extending downwardlyand inwardly and ycarrying slips, and operating means for theslips'below the gripping means and including a` single cylindersurrounding the body and a piston slidable between the cylinder and bodyand connected with the slips, the body being a straight tube of uniformdiameter extending from one end of Ithe anchor to the other forming acontinuation of the tubing connecting parts thereof, the abutment andthe cylinder each having a coupler part to which the body is joinedand-which has a tubing receiving thread.

6. A tubing anchor for anchoring a string of well tubing in a wellincluding, a tubular body, gripping means carried by the body having anabutment with faces extending downwardly and inwardly and carryingslips, and operating means for the slips including a single cylindersurrounding the body and a piston slidable between the cylinder and:body and links pivotally connected to the piston and pivotallyconnected with the slips.

7. A tubing anchor for anchoring a string of well tubing in a wellincluding, a tubular body,

gripping means carried by the body having an abutment with facesextending downwardly and inwardly and carrying slips, operating meansfor assasee the slips including a single cylinder surrounding the bodyand a piston slidable between the cylinder and body and connected withthe slips, and means to relieve pressure from the cylinder when itexceeds a' predetermined value. l

8. A tubing anchor i'or anchoring a string of well tubing in a wellincluding, a tubular body, gripping means carried ,by the body having anabutment with faces extending downwardly and inwardly and carryingslips, operating means for the slips including a single cylindersurrounding ing `an abutment with faces extending downwardly andinwardly and carrying slips, and operating means for the slips includinga single Acylinder surrounding the body and a piston slidable betweenthe cylinder and body and connected with the slips.

12. A tubing anchor for anchoring a string of well tubing in a wellincluding, a tubular body, gripping means carried by the body having anabutment with faces extending downwardly and inwardly and carryingslips, operating means for the slips including a single upwardly openingcylinder surrounding the body, a piston between and siidably engagedwith both the cylinder and Ibody and projecting above the cylinder, andlinks connected to the projecting end oi' the piston and connected withthe slips, the body having a port admitting iluid pressure from the bodyto the cylinder, and a spring surrounding the body 2a above the Apistonnormally yieldingly urging the the body and a piston slidable betweenthe cylinder and body connected with the slips, and a spring surroundingthe body and engaging the lower end of the abutment and the pistonacting to yieldingly hold the piston down, the piston having acounterbore receiving the spring.

10. A tubing anchor for anchoring a string of oil well tubing in a wellincluding, a tubular an abutment with faces extending downwardly andinwardly and carrying slips, and operating means for the slips includinga single cylinderv surrounding the body and a piston slidably engagedbetween the cylinder and body and connected with the slips, the abutmentand the cylinder each having an internally threaded coupler part intowhich the body is threaded and to re- \ceive a tubing part, the bodyhaving .a port admitting pressure from the interior of the body to thecylinder.

11. In combination, a well tubing, and an anchor for the tubingincluding a tubular body coupled at its ends to the tubing and having astraight uniform continuous opening extending from one end of the anchorto the other and corresponding in size to the opening of the tublng topass material and equipment passed by the l body, gripping means carriedby the body having tubing, gripping means carried by the body hav- 5piston downwardly.

13. In combination, a well tubing, and an anchor for the tubingincluding a tubular body coupled to the tubing and having a straightuniform continuous opening extending from one end of the anchor to theother and corresponding in size to the opening oi the tubing to form acontinuation thereof to pass material and objects passed by the tubing,gripping means carried by the body having an abutment with facesextending downwardly and inwardly and carrying slips. and operatingmeans for the slips including a single cylinder surrounding the body anda piston slidable between the cylinder and body and connected with theslips, the body having a port admitting fluid pressure from the body tothe cylinder.

JOHN S. PAGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UITTTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,367,399 Kelly Feb. 1, 1921 n2,275,935 Baker Mar. l0, 1942 2,328,840 OLeary Sept. 7, 1943 2,332,749Page Oct, 26, 1943

